If Rohit, Virat, or Bumrah are not there, there is a leadership vacuum: Ravichandran Ashwin

The Indian Test and ODI setup, at the present moment, has three seasoned campaigners worthy of taking on the baton of captaincy. Other than Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are individuals who could be banked on to lead the side with all the experience they have accumulated over the years. 

Former Indian cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin, opined that there might be a possibility of Shubman Gill's relative inexperience as a leader and international cricketer making a detrimental impact on the side if Rohit sustains an injury that rules him out of the Champions Trophy.   

"These are very big shoes to fill. Let me be very honest here. If Rohit is injured and Shubman has to captain in the Champions Trophy. I will look at him with tears in my eyes. He has also captained Gujarat Titans. He is very young in his strides as a captain. In the U-19 World Cup, Prithvi Shaw led the team, but Shubman Gill did not. I am looking at it as a forward-looking move. Yes, it is arguable. Yes, it is a debate but it is not absurd. I have been saying this many times. There is a leadership vacuum in Indian cricket. If Rohit, Virat, or Bumrah are not there, there is a leadership vacuum," shared Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

Also Read: Harbhajan Singh questions decision to leave out Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal from Champions Trophy squad

This grooming opportunity is a blessing for him: Ashwin 

Ashwin further pointed out that Shubman Gill being the vice-captain for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 would be quite a good learning experience for him.     

"I have seen them from close quarters. They were on their learning ropes. Basics have to be taught to them. Under Rohit Sharma, this grooming opportunity is a blessing for him. It is also a directive. There is also a potential junior in Rishabh Pant. Maybe, he is not in the leadership zone. Shubman Gill is listening. Shubman Gill has the potential. He wants to learn. Maybe, there is intrinsic feedback from the team, as one would know. I cannot break everything and say. So from that angle, maybe let's try him," added Ashwin.

The white-ball assignment India are currently involved in will be followed by a short break before the 50-over tournament gets underway in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.